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Falcons thrash Saints 45-24 as New Orleans marks 20 years since Katrina return
Atlanta equal their franchise record of five rushing touchdowns as Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. combine to spoil a night of commemoration at the Superdome.
By George Kensington · 3 min read
The Atlanta Falcons delivered a ruthless 45-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome, matching a franchise record with five rushing touchdowns and souring a night of commemoration in Louisiana.
Bijan Robinson opened the scoring with a 59-yard touchdown run and finished with 145 yards on the ground and two scores. Brian Robinson Jr. added 62 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 223 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Drake London led the receiving corps with five catches for 96 yards.
The result overshadowed a ceremony marking the twentieth anniversary of the Saints’ return to the Superdome following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The franchise welcomed back members of its 2006 team, including quarterback Drew Brees and special-teams hero Steve Gleason, who served as honorary captain and led the traditional «Who Dat!» chant before kick-off. Singer Irma Thomas, who performed the national anthem at the 2006 game, repeated the honour two decades on.
Atlanta seized control from the opening drive. Bijan Robinson’s 59-yard burst put the Falcons ahead, and he scored again before the end of the first quarter to make it 14-0. Alvin Kamara pulled a score back early in the second period, but Brian Robinson Jr. responded and Nick Folk extended the lead to 24-7 at half-time.
New Orleans narrowed the gap in the third quarter, only for another Brian Robinson Jr. touchdown to halt their momentum. A 31-yard pass from Penix Jr. to Jahan Dotson pushed the score to 31-17 and effectively ended the contest. Brian Robinson Jr. completed his hat-trick of touchdowns to make it 45-17, before a late Saints score produced the final margin.
For New Orleans, Tyler Shough threw for 286 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Kamara led the ground game with 23 yards and two scores, while Chris Olave caught eight passes for 116 yards. But the Saints’ defensive effort could not contain Atlanta’s rushing attack, which repeatedly broke through for large gains.
The anniversary celebrations included tributes to the 2006 squad and a half-time performance by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, with several New Orleans-linked artists taking part. On 25 September 2006, the Saints had beaten the Falcons 23-3 in their first game back at the Superdome after Katrina forced the franchise to temporarily leave the city. Gleason’s blocked punt, recovered in the end zone, became one of the most enduring images in New Orleans sporting history.
Twenty years on, the same fixture produced a very different outcome. Atlanta’s dominance on the ground, combined with a composed performance from Penix Jr., handed the Falcons a statement win and left the Saints with plenty to ponder as their season continues.
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